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Photograph: Chris Manners
Vizio P50 HDM
Pros
Low price
Easy to set up
Cons
No NTSC or ATSC tuner
Image quality could be better
Bottom Line
Easy setup (and so-so TV picture quality) make this plasma HD monitor an acceptable choice for budget-aware businesses.
Vizio P50 HDM
P50 HDM Review, by Laura Blackwell May 19, 2006
The first thing to understand about the Vizio 50-inch P50 HDM is that it's a plasma HD monitor, not a full-fledged plasma HDTV. This means that it forgos an analog NTSC tuner and a digital ATSC tuner, instead requiring an external tuner to display any kind of TV content. Priced at $2500 on 4/17/2006, the P50 HDM costs considerably less than an actual HDTV. However, PC World found better image quality in another plasma HDTV monitor at the same cost.
Our jury found the Vizio's image quality adequate on high-definition and standard-definition TV content, with a few caveats. Color looked good on PC World's test, but the P50 HDM's picture appeared dark and lacking in detail on both high-def and standard-def content. These problems became even more apparent on our DVD test of a shady scene in The Lord of the Ring: The Return of the King. Though it wasn't unwatchable, we saw better performance from other plasmas. Samsung's $4000 HP-S5053 HDTV and Maxent's $2500 MX-50X3 HDTV monitor (all pricing as of 4/17/2006) both beat the Vizio on image quality.
The P50 HDM's strength lies in its ease of use. Like Vizio's L32HDTV LCD TV, the P50 HDM comes with a setup poster as well as a very detailed manual. Color-coding makes it easy to match inputs to the poster. Finding the inputs on the back of the monitor is a snap, but plugging devices into them is a bit awkward. The inputs face down, so you have to feel for them when inserting connectors. The monitor also lacks a CableCard slot, which would be handy.
The glossy black P50 HDM looks attractive. I found the remote control comfortable and its layout easy to navigate. The onscreen menus were easy to master, too. The picture-in-picture function was especially simple to use, and it's flexible to boot: You can set the PIP window in four different positions and three sizes.
To my ears, audio sounded fine (but not fantastic) coming through the built-in speakers with SRS TruSurround XT. The P50 HDM offers one RCA audio output, but no digital audio output.
Vizio's 50-inch P50 HDM plasma HDTV monitor doesn't require the same cash outlay as a full-fledged plasma HDTV. However, if you're on a budget and don't mind messing with external tuners, check out Maxent's MX-50X3. Like the Vizio, the Maxent 50-inch plasma HDTV monitor sells for $2500--but on most kinds of content, the Maxent's picture looks nearly as good as that of a pricey HDTV.
Laura Blackwell
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User Reviews
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User Reviews From Around the Web
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Reviewed by: chitownkim
Strengths: Great picture and volume from the speakers. The size is not overwhelming, and sits nicely on a stand. No need to mount this one on a wall.
Weaknesses: Have only had it for a weak, so haven't found anything negative about it.
Overall: Got it for a great price through a secret sale at a retail store. It's not that heavy either. Easy to install the cables and got it up and running with HD service within minutes. I had such an old school TV before, that finally buying a plasma is a treat! Especially a 50" one!
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Reviewed by: tonyr669
Strengths: Picture quality, 10,000 - 1 contrast ratio, 1366 X 768, runs on 1080i or 720p HD signal. Wide adjustment range for picture, sound, PIP, and screen size. 2 HDMI inputs.
Weaknesses: No built-in tuner.
Overall: Picture quality surprised me, because I thought by buying a lesser known brand based on size and price I'd sacrifice some picture quality. I was wrong, this picture is amazing. It has so many features, PIP, POP, built-in SRS true surround sound, DCDI by Faroudja, all the features that you'd expect in a TV for far more money. Watching Letterman the other night was like watching a moving photograph, I was amazed. I have a Pioneer Elite HDTV (not plasma), as well as an LCD HDTV and this picture is brighter, clearer and sharper than them all. My friend bought a 50" Panasonic for nearly three times the money, and MAYBE he has a slightly better picture. He did not seem happy when he saw how nice this Vizio's picture is and found out what I paid. I would go with the 10A newer model if you need NTSC/ATSC tuners built in. I use a DVI to HDMI cable to connect to my HD cablebox.
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Reviewed by: emattie
Strengths: Well designed, good speakers, when viewing HD channels, picture is great
Weaknesses: Watching regular signals (non-HD channels) the picture isn't that good. Could be my cable provider. Can't seem to figure out closed caption when using anything other than the "TV" mode.
Overall: Overall, this is a good quality, well-made TV with a crisp picture when using HD channels. Can't seem to figure out the closed caption option on any mode (like AV, component, HDMI) except TV. The speakers provide a good quality sound but sometimes the sound bounces between sides occasionally.The remote is decent, the TV looks great by design and definitely belongs on my wall as the centerpiece of our den. Has ample number of connectors that are fairly easy to get to. Overall, great TV for the money. Got mine at Circuit City for 1599.00 (counting a 100.00 rebate online).
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Reviewed by: kivfer
Strengths: Cheapest! Sharp monitor! Easy Setup! great quality overall!
Weaknesses: universal remote, design can be better, Acceptable TV Quality
Overall: I got it from Costco. $1899.99 + tax. Honestly, the name, "Vizio" was new to me so I was hesitated to buy this but since Costco, BJ sells this, I thought myself it must be good. I used it about 7 days and tried TV, Monitor, DVD. TV was acceptable quality. I had Akai 42 plasma. I thought Akai was better in TV. I hooked into Dell E1505 via RGB cable. It gave crystal clear picture quality. Yes! it was like a monitor using for my computer. I played starcraft with this, it was awesome.I hooked to Sony DVD Player. It was greatI didn't have HD service so I couldn't try it. I strongly feel it will give me clear picture quality though.Overall, this is Awesome 50 Plasma TV/Monitor
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